Former Andhra Pradesh CM Kiran Kumar Reddy to join BJP: Report

Hyderabad, June 17: Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy who parted ways with the Congress over Telangana fiasco and formed his own political party, may join hands with the BJP, media reports said on Tuesday.

According to TOI report, a close aide of Reddy was quoted saying as, "Kiran is looking towards the BJP. Discussions are going on. That is all I can say at this moment."

Reddy's Bangalore-based brothers have also advised him to join BJP.

Another report claimed that Reddy is also in touch with the Gujarat-based business tycoon Gautam Adani, the owner of the Adani Group, over switching ties to the BJP.

Following differences with the Congress over bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Reddy had floated his own political, outfit called Jai Samaikyandhra Party (JSP) with 'chappal' (sleeper) as its symbol, but in a major embarrassment, it was completely routed, with not even a single seat in its kitty, in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.

For the BJP, too, it will be a prized catch if Kiran Reddy joins the party as it has to maintain a stronghold in the southern politics.

If Reddy manages to make an entry into BJP, then his political career will also have chances of bouncing back and for the BJP, too, it can act as a win-win situation during 2019 general elections.